![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Real Estate Information |
|
![]() |
Helpful Hints for First-Time Home Buyers
Buying a house can be a daunting task, even for someone who has owned several homes. My husband and I recently purchased our first home together, and it was hard to find good advice that we truly found useful. We had to learn a lot on our own, but at least now we feel comfortable and knowledgeable about the whole process. Here are some helpful hints we picked up along the way: 1. Use your online resources. Almost every state and local government has a website where you can research real estate information. The data on home sales, taxes, and neighborhoods is invaluable when you are shopping for a home. We were able to find out the most recent sale prices in the neighborhood we selected, and we didn't have to rely on a real estate agent to get the data for us. Doing the research yourself will make you more knowledgeable about the market, which is key to making a good purchase. 2. Be realistic about how much you can spend. Try to buy a home in a price range that allows you to put down 20%. If you put down less than this, you will have to pay PMI (private mortgage insurance) to protect the lender in case you default on the loan. I know that 20% is a lot, but it's not unrealistic. You may not be able to do it on your first home, but hopefully you can on your second home. The profits from the sale of my condo enabled my husband and me to have more than enough for the 20% down payment on our home. But we didn't put it all down on the home - we saved some of the profits for the unexpected expenses that come with buying a home. We suggest that you do the same. 3. Shop for a home in the winter, preferably around the holidays. Since most people just aren't interested in buying a home whenthey are trying to deal with the holidays, you can pretty much be one of the few buyers out there. We bought our home right before Christmas, and it was definitely a buyers market. We had our pick of homes and were able to underbid on the asking price, even though we live in one of the hottest real estate markets in the country. 4. Use a smaller mortgage company that can offer personal service. People tend to go with large, well-known mortgage companies, since that's all they know. But the smaller, regional companies provide excellent customer service, and can often give you better rates than the big companies. Since they don't advertise and instead rely on word-of-mouth, they have to be good in order to get your service. We started off with a big-name company, but in the end, we went with a regional company because they had better rates and better customer service. 5. Always have a home inspection. I think most people know this fact already, but it is really important in areas with a hot real estate market. It can be easy to get caught up in bidding wars, and to want to get a house at all costs. Some friends of ours wanted a house so badly that not only did they overbid, but they also waived the home inspection. They got the house - and right along with it they got several thousand dollars worth of damage that would have been found in an inspection. As a final note, try to remember that buying a home doesn't haveto be scary. It's very exciting to own your own home, so think ofall the good things that will come once you have made it through the home-buying process. If you follow the advice above, then you should be well-equipped to make it through unscathed. Rachel Greenberg has a background in business and finance, and she received her MBA from Duke University. She writes fun and informative pieces for her website http://www.bargainfamily.com - which she created with her husband Lee. The website provides advice and recommendations for families on various products and services for their homes, lives, and businesses.
MORE RESOURCES: Americans believe real estate, gold are the best long-term investments. They're wrong, advisors say CNBC Rennie lays off 31 employees from real estate firm, cites ‘changing market’ Business in Vancouver ‘Wildly Inappropriate Behavior’: Real Estate Group Is Accused of Cover-ups The New York Times A 24-year-old learned about real estate investing on TikTok. Now he plans to convert a $2 million motel into apartments. Business Insider Here’s a snapshot of the area commercial real estate market in April Baton Rouge Business Report Current Real Estate Roundup - May 8, 2025 Nantucket Current OT Real Estate Spotlight of the Week: 4295 Saddlebrooke Trail The Owensboro Times Senior Living More Tariff-Resistant Than Other Real Estate, Immigration Remains Big Issue Senior Housing News Homes for Sale in New York and New Jersey The New York Times Montgomery County and MCB Real Estate Partner on First-Ever Tax Increment Funding to Support $2.8 Billion Investment in East County Montgomery County (.gov) European real estate somewhat shielded from tariff chaos Institutional Real Estate, Inc. Bray Real Estate releases its April 2025 numbers KKCO 11 News Trump’s Migrant Crackdown Adds to Miami’s Real Estate Woes Insurance Journal Athens Riviera Set To Lead Europe’s Prime Real Estate Boom With Ultra-Luxury Demand In 2025 Travel And Tour World Homes.com aims to one-up Zillow with listings ‘boost’ Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com EG Real Estate: 7 New Listings & 5 Sold East Greenwich News Real estate’s winners and losers of the state budget The Real Deal Who's buying up Quincy real estate? What one buyer has spent $78 million in last 5 years The Patriot Ledger Here are businesses on the move in Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties The North Bay Business Journal Global Surge in Data Infrastructure Demand Reshapes Real Estate Landscape, Cushman & Wakefield Reports Boston Real Estate Times What’s next for StepStone after its record real estate fundraise? Secondaries Investor llinois bill looks to enshrine Clear Cooperation in state law housingwire.com Sherley Real Estate, LLC - Ad from 2025-05-10 The Independent Record People: Mark Nowaczewski, Sakara Ferebee join Street Commercial Real Estate Northern Nevada Business Weekly Tributes – part III: Giving credit where credit is due Institutional Real Estate, Inc. Turbulent times: A mixed picture in European real estate reveals signs of a changing market Institutional Real Estate, Inc. How’s the Market? AI and real estate The Ukiah Daily Journal Thriving in change: The value of a Realtor and top association Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com JLL announces senior leadership appointments Boston Real Estate Times When markets speak louder than politics: Real estate in an uncertain economy Rochester Business Journal NextGen Realty Opens Worcester Office to Meet Growing Demand for Central Massachusetts Housing Boston Real Estate Times TIM SCOTT REAL ESTATE - 82410 Caledonian Record Number crunching: How have top-down and bottom-up allocation strategies influenced real estate investment and performance during the past 40-odd years? Institutional Real Estate, Inc. Boston real estate firm expands into Worcester, opens Downtown office Worcester Business Journal Alexander Brothers Face More Sex Crimes, Including Against Underage Girl The New York Times Form 253G2 Roots Real Estate Invest StreetInsider AIM Media Texas Plans to Sell Real Estate Property to UTRGV Texas Border Business Shelter Island Reporter Real Estate Transfers: May 9, 2025 Shelter Island Reporter Sprinkman Real Estate Announces Expansion to Meet Rising Demand in Madison Housing Market openPR.com Gold tops stocks as second-favorite long-term investment, real estate still no. 1 - Gallup poll Seeking Alpha Israeli veteran's Cincinnati real estate empire collapses amid fraud allegations - WCPO 9 Cincinnati Southside regional real estate forum showcased highlights and challenges of growth Chatham Star-Tribune Suspect in Houston-area real estate agent's Downtown Dallas killing denied bond reduction FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth See how the real estate market fared in New Caney, Porter in April Community Impact Residential urban inventories rise 22% in Jackson County, real estate data show - Rogue Valley Times LOCAL REAL ESTATE TODAY 5.9.25 KQEN News Radio Real estate news: Beckman Coulter campus in Brea up for sale ‘as-is’ Orange County Register Welcome to Real Estate Friday! The Berkshire Edge 2 Northwest Arkansas commercial real estate companies merge Talk Business & Politics Real estate transfers in Adams County from April 28 to May 2, 2025 Muddy River News A real-estate giant wants sellers to list their homes privately. Will homeowners benefit? MarketWatch Real estate transfers: 5/7 Toledo Blade Taylor Morrison CEO Sheryl Palmer on How Tariff Uncertainty Will Affect Real Estate Market cheddar.com JOE R. PYLE COMPLETE AUCTION & REALTY SERVICE Bluefield Daily Telegraph Strong week for Ares Commercial Real Estate (NYSE:ACRE) shareholders doesn't alleviate pain of three-year loss simplywall.st Norway’s sovereign wealth fund appoints Knapp as global real estate head Private Equity Real Estate | PERE CHUCK SIMPSON/EXP REALTY - 82441 Caledonian Record Housing Supply Booms as Listings Surge to Highest Level Since 2019 Norada Real Estate Investments Real estate transactions The Tribune-Democrat $4M sale of North Hampton home helps set Seacoast real estate record Seacoastonline.com |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Investment Real Estate Done Right -- Your Quickest and Safest Path to Wealth In investment real estate the quickest way to wealth is through owner financing, or lease optioning. So, let's take a look at one model transaction, involving the purchase and sale of two properties on lease-option contracts so you an apply it to your own investment real estate system. Real Estate Financing - Ten Ways Do you remember when real estate financing meant you saved up enough to put 20% down on a house, and then you got a mortgage loan for the other 80%? Well, you can still do that, but there are many more options now. Here are ten of them. What is Tax-Deferred Exchange? Under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, owners of real estate held for investment or use in a trade or business can swap their property tax-free for "like-kind" real estate.Exchanges are made for people wanting to stay invested in real estate, increase their leverage and to avoid paying hefty taxes upon the sale of property. Should I Invest in Real Estate While Running an Internet Business? Of course you should. I practice this for quite a while and I never looked back. How to Make a Home for Sale Flyer Using Marketing Psychology Want to sell your home right away, for the highest profit to you? Discover how to improve on the Realtor's number two sales tool--right after the sign--your sales flyer.Most real estate agents use a sales flyer template which showcases their listings using out-of-date marketing strategies. Salt Lake City Real Estate From the mountains to the valley, there are many types of Salt Lake City real estate to choose from.Cabins:Cabins nestled into the mountains on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley are a great place to escape for those who have a home in the valley (or nearby). Buying Property in Spain - How to Avoid Paying over the Odds Spain has a lot to offer Northern Europeans and until recently there was a marked difference between the price in their home country and a similar Spanish property. However many buyers have found to their cost that they paid way over the odds. Selling Your Home In The Winter In many parts of the country, selling a home during the winter months can be a challenge. Dreary, cold weather and the end-of-the-year holidays can keep buyers away and heighten fears of your home staying on the market longer than expected. Should You Buy a House or a Condo? A big debate these days is whether or not to buy a house, or buy a condo. Most of this debate comes from a lack of understanding about condos, and what they are. The Value of Building Home Equity There are numerous advantages to owning a home. One of the serious advantages is the equity that is built over time. Things To Consider Before Buying a Condo Hotel or Resort Residence Resort home ownership, such as condo hotels and fractional shares is different from typical home ownership. So it is important to ask certain questions before signing the purchase agreement on a resort property. Why Use a Property Manager? Most experienced property investors use property managers. Why? Because they make you money. Should You Sell Before the Housing Bubble Pops For the past several years housing prices have risen dramatically. With interest rates continuously moving up, and more and more people being priced out of the market, all signs point to an imminent housing market correction. Landlording And Other Aggravations Here's the gripping story.. Will a 1031 Property Exchange Solve Your Problems? If your problem is listed below, a 1031 exchange may or may not be your solution.1. Why Commercial Real Estate is the Hottest Retirement Asset For small business owners, commercial real estate investment is the hottest new retirement asset. If your mind has already jumped to "REITs" - or shares in Real Estate Investment Trusts - think again. Property Investing Secrets 2 Property Investing Secrets:How You Can Turn A Below Average Deal Into Streams Of IncomeWhen property investing, sometimes you'll get a seller who will say: "Sure, I'm retiring, and I need some cash flow, I need some money but if I deposit it in the bank, I'm not going to get much for it. The property market is falling, there aren't a lot of buyers and they are all beating me up on the price of my house. 8 Essential Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector Congratulations! You've decided to purchase a home. We all know that when purchasing a home, every detail is an important one. Real Estate Investing - The First House Purchase Real estate investing usually begins with the purchase of a house, rather than raw land or commercial property. The purchase of a relatively inexpensive house for rental or fix-up purpose is usually lower risk than any other type of real estate investment. How to Qualify For 90% Plus Commercial Financing!!! There are three important questions that you must understand and answer correctly in order to achieve 90% plus commercial financing! Where to go to locate it? What type of project will qualify? And last, how to negotiate for it?To start, you must understand the lender's mindset?.. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2006 TIGER MEDIA |